Curiosity stops after finding shiny object on Mars it may have dropped

Curiosity has stopped in its tracks on Mars as scientists investigate a shiny object on the planet surface that probably came from the rover itself.

Images from a sandy area called Rocknest, where Curiosity began scooping soil samples last weekend, show a small, oblong object.

"The rover team's assessment is that the bright object is something from the rover, not Martian material," JPL's Mars Science Laboratory team wrote in a status report on Tuesday. "It appears to be a shred of plastic material, likely benign, but it has not been definitively identified."

Scientists are now taking more photos in hopes of identifying the object.

In the meantime, the rover has stopped mid-action, with a soil sample still sitting in its scoop. The team suspended scientific activities on the 62nd Martian day of the mission (or sol 62), including use of the rover's robotic arm.

"To proceed cautiously, the team is continuing the investigation for another day before deciding whether to resume processing of the sample in the scoop. Plans include imaging of surroundings with the Mastcam," the JPL team wrote.

A press conference is planned Thursday.

Speculation about the object was rampant on Twitter and message boards, from wisecracks ("It's an alien Fritos wrapper") to resemblances (a grasshopper) to serious guesses (a piece of insulation tape).

A Twitter account dedicated to the object, @benignplastic, also popped up Tuesday:

"I'm a little insulted @NASA seems to think I am so benign...that's how all the SciFi movies start you know..."